Hong Kong foundation, Timor-Leste sign health cooperation documents

The GX Foundation, based in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and the Ministry of Health of Timor-Leste signed two key health cooperation documents on Friday, in the Prime Minister's Office of Timor-Leste.

The first agreement, a "Memorandum of Cooperation on Dengue Prevention and Control Project," signifies a continued effort to combat the mosquito-borne illness. The second, a "Letter of Intent for Clean Water Project Cooperation," addresses another critical need for Timor-Leste's healthcare system.

Leung Chun-ying, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), also the chairman of the GX Foundation, and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of Timor-Leste witnessed the event. This collaboration reflects the growing partnership between China and Timor-Leste in the health sector.

Following the signing, Leung spoke to the press, highlighting the success of the GX Foundation's ongoing dengue prevention efforts. He pointed to a significant 76.5 percent decrease in dengue infections within the past five months, crediting this achievement to strong support from the Ministry of Health of Timor-Leste and the Chinese embassy in Timor-Leste.

Furthermore, the GX Foundation plans to donate water purification equipment to Timor-Leste institutions. Leung emphasized the project's alignment with the GX Foundation's mission and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)'s focus on fostering people-to-people connections. 

Timor-Leste has witnessed a 10 percent decline in confirmed dengue fever cases in the first half of 2024, compared to the same period last year. This positive trend is even more pronounced in the capital, Dili, which boasts a 46 percent decrease in confirmed cases, despite accounting for roughly 25 percent of the country's population.

The GX Foundation, established in HKSAR in 2018, is a non-profit organization dedicated to international medical and humanitarian aid.